The Fundamentals of Active Learning: Strategies to Build Engagement
CATE TA Workshops
August 19, 2026
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
Lincoln Hall Room 305
Address
707 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL
Calendar
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Overview
Active learning encourages students to work together with peers, help one another learn, and create a positive learning environment. In this workshop, we will discuss what active learning is, why it matters, and how it can be meaningfully incorporated into your teaching. We will also explore the importance of building community in your classroom as a foundation for active learning and try out various strategies that promote student engagement. Through interactive, hands-on demonstrations, you will gain practical insights and tools to bring these strategies to your own classes, whether you plan ahead or need something flexible in the moment.
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe what active learning is and reasons for incorporating it into the classroom
- Assess the appropriateness of various techniques, depending on the classroom context: lesson content, students’ needs, classroom space, and TA’s time and resources
- Identify active learning strategies for use in your specific classes
WORKSHOP FORMAT: This workshop will be held in Lincoln Hall Room 305 (707 S. Morgan Street)
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Katie Pierson, piersonk@uic.edu
WORKSHOP CONTACT: teaching@uic.edu
Inclusivity & Accessibility Information: CATE is committed to making events accessible. In-person events typically involve a combination of presentation and discussion-based activities. We welcome ASL interpreters, note-takers, and accompanying assistants to in-person CATE events.
TA workshops will take place in-person primarily in Lincoln Hall, 707 S. Morgan St with larger capacity workshops being held in Lecture Center C, 802 S. Morgan St. To access the second floor of Lincoln Hall there is an elevator in Grant Hall with skybridge access to the second and third floors of Lincoln Hall via Douglas Hall (UIC campus map).
Accessible restrooms are available on the first and second floors of Lincoln Hall and Douglas Hall, and an accessible all gender restroom is available on the first floor of Douglas Hall next to the women's restroom. There are 20 fully separated all gender bathroom stalls in Lecture Center E (806 S. Halsted St.) located on the West side of the building. To find additional all-gender restrooms visit the all-gender restroom campus map on the gender and sexuality center website.
For more access info or access requests, please email teaching@uic.edu.
Date posted
Jul 10, 2026
Date updated
Jul 10, 2026